The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-12
THE INTERSTATE LAW.

the interstate commerce law is without pre-
cedent in the history of legislation. Congress,
aftera discussion running at intervals through
several years, passed law embodying radical
changes in the railroad traffic of the entire
country and calculated to revolutionize bust
ness 1t is the most important measure of
the kind ever enacted. 1t was intended to
correct evils of long standing and chronic
years. It was intended to reform the railroad
business, and establish the relations between
the public and the railroads on an entirely
new basis The country had Alright to expect
that Congress knew what it was about when
it passed the law, that it knew whether the
law could be enforced without serious injury
to the commerce of the country or to the in
terests of any section. Yet within week
after the taking effect Of the law it has been
found advisable to suspend the operation of
its principal section in all the Southern States
and part of the Northern, and there is gen.
eral cutlery against it from all parts of the
country. Railroad traffic is partially paralyzed,
business is seriously interrupted, factories are
closing here and there because they cannot
conform to the new rates, shippers are pro-
testing bitterly and the railroads are at loss
what to do. The commission seems to be
much in the same predicament. Its only act
thus far has been to suspend the operation of
the law in the South. Dispatches say it is
swamped by an avalanche Of inquiries which
it cannot answer. 1t is a remarkable state
of affairs.
All this trouble and confusion are charge
able TO Congress for passing an ill-considered,
ill-advised law. It might be supposed that
before enacting a law so important and
far reaching in its consequences, Congress
would have informed itself thoroughly
on every phase of the question, either
through its regular channels of inquiry or by
a special commission. Its failure to do so has
resulted in memorable monument of hasty
legislation. In one sense the law was not
passed hastily, for its discussion dragged along
through several years. But the event shows
that it never was intelligenty discussed nor
clearly understood. No member of Congress
who voted for it had the slightest idea what
its real effect and operation would be. Even
the trainers of the law could not interpret it.
No doubt Congress had, in vague sort of
way, good intentions in passing the law. 1t
was intended to reform existing evils in the
railroad business and was designed to benefit
the people Probably most of those who voted
for it expected, or at least hoped, it would do
this somehow or some way. They thought
some legislation on the subject was demanded,
and perhaps this would answer the purpose as
we'll as any other. 1t was blind experiment,
leap in the dark.
The great mistake of Congress was in try
ing to evolve law out of IT'S inner conscious
ness that should fit all conditions and every
case. As we pointed out during the tendency
of the bill and have mad reason to emphasize
since, they began at the wrong end. The
fundamental principle of the law, government
ment of a commission with power to hear
complaints, decide controversies and apply
remedies is right. The fatal blunder was in
devising set of remedies and applying them
to all the railroads in the country before it was
known whether they were demanded and
would work bene6ciallv. A few days expert
ence has shown that the long short haul
| provision, which Congress made of universal
application, only be applied in particular
cases. 1t is dangerous remedy, two edged
sword. Such a remedy or weapon might have
| been intrusted to careful hands with author
ity to use where required but to embody it in
a law of general application was tremendous
mistake. About all that can be said for the
law is that it is right in principle and a steI
in the right direction. Its recognition of the
principle of railroad regulation is valuable.
This is revolution that will not 60 back
wards, and the railroads may as we'll recog
| nlZe the Iact ne law Will nOL DO repeated
| 1t is a blunder, but better than no law at all
The large discretionary power conferred OF
the commissioners will enable them to ge
some good out of it, and by the time Congress
meets again it will have acquired an accession
of information. Meanwhile, the commission
ought to make general order suspending tn,
long and short-haul section everywhere unit
further orders This would break the block
ade on business, and give the commission tim
tc consider each case on its merits
HAWKS AND HANDSAWS.
| In addition "a o4har .rroat rororr,r do.,,a.